Summary of Contents for Holm HOLMFIR
- Page 1 HOLMFIR User Guide Document version 0.4.4 (November 1, 2008) Compatible HOLMFIR versions 1.0.8.x Compatible DSPre version DSPre 1 Mic 1 Compatible Microphone...
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Page 2: Table Of Contents
CONTENTS Contents Contents HOLMFIR in Basic Mode 1 Introduction 1.1 How to use this User Guide ...... - Page 3 ........30 HOLMFIR in Advanced Mode 8 Introduction to Advanced Mode 8.1 Functionality...
- Page 4 ....... . 63 Index HOLM Acoustics HOLMFIR User Guide v0.4.4...
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Page 5: Holmfir In Basic Mode
1 of Part I HOLMFIR in Basic Mode HOLM Acoustics HOLMFIR User Guide v0.4.4... -
Page 6: Introduction
Equalizing: Experience some of the cababilities in a DSPre Chapter 5,6,7: Use these chapters when needed When you are familiar with HOLMFIR in ’Basic Mode’ and would like to take the DSPre a step further regarding perfection of sound, then continue to Part II: HOLMFIR in Advanced Mode. -
Page 7: Quick Start
The purpose of this chapter is to get the DSPre playing in your setup, i.e. get sound out of your speakers within a few minutes. The DSPre The DSPre interface with display fields is very simple: HOLM Acoustics HOLMFIR User Guide v0.4.4... -
Page 8: Installing Holmfir
Installer package for Windows Vista (32 bit) When executing the installer package you can safely answer ’Run’ to below security question Note when upgrading HOLMFIR then just execute the new installer package - it is not necessary to uninstall the previous version. HOLM Acoustics... -
Page 9: Computer Requirements
Note, that when the DSPre once has been configured you can use ANY computer to play sound via USB without having to install HOLMFIR - that is any computer supporting the USB 1.1 audio standard. The most commonly used operative systems support this as Plug’n’Play without installing any special drivers: Windows 2000, Windows ME, Windows... -
Page 10: Dspre-1-Way Setup
5. A computer running Windows XP or Vista (only needed to configure the DSPre) Connect the Cables Connect the cables as shown in the diagram below. Input sources available: 1 USB, 2 analog and 5 digital HOLM Acoustics HOLMFIR User Guide v0.4.4... - Page 11 Quick Start - DSPre-1-way Setup 7 of Configure the DSPre using HOLMFIR Turn on the DSPre and start the HOLMFIR application. The DSPre can easily be config- ured using the setup wizard found in the menu: ’Help’ ’Setup Wizard’ Click ’Done’ and answer ’Ok’ to overwrite the current configuration Upload these settings to the DSPre by clicking ’Upload Filters to DSPre’...
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Page 12: Dspre-2-Way Setup
5. A computer running Windows XP or Vista (only needed to configure the DSPre) Connecting the cables Connect the cables as shown in the diagram below. Input sources available: 1 USB, 2 analog and 5 digital HOLM Acoustics HOLMFIR User Guide v0.4.4... - Page 13 Quick Start - DSPre-2-way Setup 9 of Configure the DSPre using HOLMFIR Turn on the DSPre and start the HOLMFIR application. The DSPre can easily be config- ured using the setup wizard found in the menu: ’Help’ ’Setup Wizard’ Click ’Done’ and answer ’Ok’ to overwrite the current configuration Upload these settings to the DSPre by clicking ’Upload Filters to DSPre’...
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Page 14: Adjusting Gain Levels
’DSPre Settings’ tab. You can now align the levels of the outputs while playing music. If you want to align levels using a microphone, please refer to ’Advanced Mode’ Chapter Section 11.2 ’DSPre-2-way Automatic Alignment’ HOLM Acoustics HOLMFIR User Guide v0.4.4... -
Page 15: Dspre-3-Way Setup
To use the DSPre-3-way setup you need: 1. A DSPre 1 with 3 output modules 2. Three stereo amplifiers (Or two HOLM Acoustics AMP 1 with three outputs) 3. Two speakers with three inputs (Tri-wire - with or without analog crossovers) 4. - Page 16 Quick Start - DSPre-3-way Setup 12 of Configure the DSPre using HOLMFIR Turn on the DSPre and start the HOLMFIR application. The DSPre can easily be config- ured using the setup wizard found in the menu: ’Help’ ’Setup Wizard’ Click ’Done’ and answer ’Ok’ to overwrite the current configuration Upload these settings to the DSPre by clicking ’Upload Filters to DSPre’...
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Page 17: Adjusting Gain Levels
’DSPre Settings’ tab. You can now align the levels of the outputs while playing music. If you want to align levels using a microphone, please refer to ’Advanced Mode’ Chapter Section 11.3 ’DSPre-3-way Automatic Alignment’ HOLM Acoustics HOLMFIR User Guide v0.4.4... -
Page 18: Crossover & Target
Crossovers (Only for DSPre-2,3-way) A HOLMFIR digital crossover is defined by a crossover frequency and a transition band. The HOLMFIR digital crossover is a FIR (Finite Impulse Response) filter customized especially for HighEnd audio by HOLM Acoustics. -
Page 19: Low Frequency Rolloff
Less excursion of driver/speaker - hence can prevent no blown drivers Less power consumption from the amplifier - hence less distortion Less low frequency room-modes Less wide range deep sound presure for your nabo HOLM Acoustics HOLMFIR User Guide v0.4.4... -
Page 20: High Frequency Rolloff
In the above example frequencies below 10 kHz are not affected and frequencies above 15 kHz are simply not played. Motivations for High Frequency Rolloff Damp sharp and unpleasant high frequency sound HOLM Acoustics HOLMFIR User Guide v0.4.4... -
Page 21: Equalization - Tonal Balance
Switching to Equalization Mode The ’Equalization Mode’ helps you focus on the equalization, so please switch HOLMFIR into ’Equalization Mode’ from the menu: ’Options’ ’Equalization Mode’. -
Page 22: Zoom With The Pointing Device (E.g. A Mouse)
Zoom with the Pointing Device (e.g. a mouse) When equalizing it is appropriate to view a smaller range so that you can fine-tune your preference To zoom back right-click or click the ’Zoom Back’ button. HOLM Acoustics HOLMFIR User Guide v0.4.4... -
Page 23: Graphical Equalizer Tool
Modify point by entering extact values in the Equalization box The low- and high-frequency end-levels are edited the same way as normal equalizer points, except that they have a static frequency and cannot be deleted. HOLM Acoustics HOLMFIR User Guide v0.4.4... -
Page 24: Enable/Disable Equalization
From the ’Equalization’ menu you can also save and open equalization files. This feature is convenient if you want to save your favorite equalization or interchange this with another user. ’Equalization’ ’Open Custom’ ’Equalization’ ’Save Custom’ HOLM Acoustics HOLMFIR User Guide v0.4.4... -
Page 25: Presets
Equalization - Tonal Balance - Presets 21 of Presets HOLM Acoustics has designed a collection of presets available from the menu. The collec- tion might inspire you how to adjust the tonal balance. HOLM Acoustics HOLMFIR User Guide v0.4.4... -
Page 26: Filter Bank
Note that after a new filter has been selected the filters has to be uploaded to the DSPre for the change to take effect. The filter number in the DSPre changes when the upload is finished - that is when the DSPre is playing with the new filter. HOLM Acoustics HOLMFIR User Guide v0.4.4... -
Page 27: Save And Open Configurations
files by hand. Autosave of the current configuration The configuration is autosaved when HOLMFIR is closed, so when HOLMFIR is restarted you will see the same configuration and have the same filterbank as when you closed the application. -
Page 28: Control The Dspre
You can to some extend customize and control the DSPre from HOLMFIR. These settings can of course only be controlled from HOLMFIR when the DSPre is turned on and con- nected via the USB-cable to the computer. Volume and source can be selected via the DSPre remote-control, the DSPre frontpanel or HOLMFIR: Note that when the DSPre has been turned off, the current source is remembered, but the... -
Page 29: Dspre Mixer (Windows Xp)
DSPre Mixer (Windows XP) You can adjust the Microsoft Windows volume settings via the ’DSPre Mixer’ tab. The HOLMFIR and Windows XP sliders corresponds as follows: The optimal quality sound (from a digital point of view) is achieved when USB Play and USB Wave Volume are both set to maximum. -
Page 30: Dspre Mixer (Windows Vista)
Control the DSPre - DSPre Mixer (Windows Vista) 26 of DSPre Mixer (Windows Vista) Write how to control the sound in Windows Vista HOLM Acoustics HOLMFIR User Guide v0.4.4... -
Page 31: Playing Music Via Usb
Playing Music via USB When the DSPre once has been configured you can use ANY computer to play sound via USB without having to install HOLMFIR - that is any computer supporting the USB 1.1 audio standard. The most commonly used operative systems support this standard as Plug’n’Play without... -
Page 32: Analog Input Gain
If you record the analog source from the DSPre via a computer while playing, you are able to analyze the level simply by identifying clipping or a to low level. Audacity is free software for recording and editing sounds. Audacity can be downloaded here: http://audacity.sourceforge.net HOLM Acoustics HOLMFIR User Guide v0.4.4... -
Page 33: Customization (Look And Feel)
The tooltip popups can be enabled or disabled by two menu entries: ’Options’ ’Show tooltips’ or ’Help’ ’Show tooltips’ Linewidth The linewidth can be adjusted from the menu: ’Options’ ’Set General Linewidth’. This option is relevant when HOLMFIR is maximized using high screen resolution: HOLM Acoustics HOLMFIR User Guide v0.4.4... -
Page 34: Colors
The ’Text & Grid Color’ and ’Background Color’ are reached from the ’Options’ menu where as the other colors changed by clicking the Color box Export Graphs as Bitmap Images The graphs can be exported as bitmap graphics from the menu: ’File’ ’Crossover & Target Image’ HOLM Acoustics HOLMFIR User Guide v0.4.4... -
Page 35: Holmfir In Advanced Mode
31 of Part II HOLMFIR in Advanced Mode HOLM Acoustics HOLMFIR User Guide v0.4.4... -
Page 36: Introduction To Advanced Mode
DSPre with full correction you should: 1. Correct each driver in the system (Chapter ’Driver Correction’) 2. Align the drivers (Chapter ’Automatic Driver Alignment’) 3. Verify the full setup (Chapter ’Control Measurements’) HOLM Acoustics HOLMFIR User Guide v0.4.4... -
Page 37: Get Ready To Measure
Any microphone can in principle be connected to the DSPre, but for simplicity it will be assumed, that ’The Microphone’ is the HOLM Acoustics microphone Mic 1. Connect the microphone to the DSPre analog 1 Left input on the DSPre and adjust the... -
Page 38: Microphone Calibration File
An example of such a file could be: # HOLM A c o u s t i c s Mic 1 C a l i b r a t e d Frequency ; Gain [ dB ] ; Phase [ d e g r e e s ] 8 . -
Page 39: The Measurement Chain
The Measurement Chain Before a measurement, please make sure that the full measurement chain is in place: 1. A PC/Laptop running HOLMFIR is connected to the DSPre via a USB cable 2. The DSPre is powered on 3. The amplifier(s) are connected to the DSPre and powered on 4. -
Page 40: What Is Measured - And How
Often only the amplitude is represented in plots of the frequency response, but HOLMFIR goes further by measuring the phase. The phase response reflects the meachanical prop- erties of the speaker. -
Page 41: Control Measurements
Control Measurements 37 of Chapter 10 Control Measurements A cornerstone in the HOLM Acoustics filosofy is that you must have the oppertunity to verify your setup. In the ’Control measurements’ tab you can verify your setup and compare settings. 10.1 Target Frequency &... -
Page 42: Making A Measurement
Place the microphone 150 cm away from the left speaker on the axis of the listening position Note the 150 cm is just meant to be a guide - try out other distances for your personal reference. Now click the measure button to start the measurement: HOLM Acoustics HOLMFIR User Guide v0.4.4... - Page 43 ’Rescale’ Adjust the time window by dragging the right edge or click ’Auto Detect’ to let HOLMFIR try and figure out where the echoes starts.
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Page 44: Customization And Presentation Options
This is convenient when considering the reflections of your room or speaker Number of samples at 44100 Hz The CD format and the DSPre native samplerate is 44100 Hz, so you can also consider how many samples that goes by in time HOLM Acoustics HOLMFIR User Guide v0.4.4... -
Page 45: Measurement Quality
17 which is 3 seconds to save time. If you want to eliminate noise from the surroundings or measure at a low level you can try to increase to a signal length of 19 which is 12 seconds. HOLM Acoustics HOLMFIR User Guide v0.4.4... -
Page 46: Errors And Warnings
So whenever you are in doubt about something then do not hesitate to make another measurement - either to ensure reproducibility or to inspect the difference of two measurement conditions HOLM Acoustics HOLMFIR User Guide v0.4.4... -
Page 47: Automatic Driver Alignment
In ’Basic Mode ’without a microphone connected one has to adjust the levels by hand while listening to music - eg. for a DSPre-2-way system: This process is automated with a precision within 0,1 dB in HOLMFIR using a measure- ment signal. -
Page 48: Time Alignment
Typical the bass is delayed and the tweeter is a little to early. This effect can be corrected in the ’DSPre Settings’ tab. Note that classical analog filters cannot correct for these delays. HOLM Acoustics HOLMFIR User Guide v0.4.4... -
Page 49: Dspre-2-Way Automatic Alignment
Automatic Driver Alignment - DSPre-2-way Automatic Alignment 45 of 11.2 DSPre-2-way Automatic Alignment Screenshots etc as in DSPre-3-way automatic Alignment HOLM Acoustics HOLMFIR User Guide v0.4.4... -
Page 50: Dspre-3-Way Automatic Alignment
Ensure that the measurement chain (9.3) is in place and click ’Align Drivers’ under the ’Driver-Measurements’ tab Now the DSPre has aligned the delays and amplitude, so the drivers are matched in the crossover frequencies. HOLM Acoustics HOLMFIR User Guide v0.4.4... - Page 51 Automatic Driver Alignment - DSPre-3-way Automatic Alignment 47 of Verification by Control Measurements By making a full-range measurement in the ’Control-Measurements’ tab you can verify that the drivers are indeed aligned HOLM Acoustics HOLMFIR User Guide v0.4.4...
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Page 52: Driver Correction
The DSPre is able to correct the frequency response in terms of amplitude and phase. The HOLM Acoustics approch is to measure each driver section in an extended frequency range. This characterization of the components creates the basis for a correction. The driver correction is optionally and can be switched on/off... -
Page 53: Dspre-1-Way Extended Range
0 Hz 12.1.2 DSPre-2-way Extended Range Select the ’Extended Range’ mode in the ’Driver Measurements’ tab and click ’Futher Options’, then enter the extended range for the two outputs (drivers) HOLM Acoustics HOLMFIR User Guide v0.4.4... -
Page 54: Dspre-3-Way Extended Range
Select the ’Extended Range’ mode in the ’Driver Measurements’ tab and click ’Futher Options’, then enter the extended range for the three outputs (drivers) 12.1.4 Uploading the Extended Range Filters Before characterizing the drivers by extended range measurements you will have to upload the extended range filters HOLM Acoustics HOLMFIR User Guide v0.4.4... -
Page 55: Customization And Presentation Options
Driver Correction - Customization and Presentation Options 51 of 12.2 Customization and Presentation Options Explain the 3x10 measurement slots HOLM Acoustics HOLMFIR User Guide v0.4.4... -
Page 56: Correcting A Bass/Subwoofer (Dspre-2,3-Way)
The extended filters are uploaded and adjusted (Section 12.1) The ’Active Output’ under ’Driver-Measurements’ is is set to 1st. The DSPre Volume is set to for a near-field measurement (Typical 10-20) When ready click the ’Measure’ button: HOLM Acoustics HOLMFIR User Guide v0.4.4... - Page 57 When the measurement is finished you will have an extended characterization of the driver: If the measurement went well, then adjust the time window and use this extended mea- surement as a basis for the correction: HOLM Acoustics HOLMFIR User Guide v0.4.4...
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Page 58: Verification
After uploading the filter with corrections you will have a DSPre, which corrects your driver to have a perfect impulse response, which can be verified simply by making a measurement without moving the microphone: 12.3.2 Limit the Maximum Gain Under ’Futher Options’ the maximum gain can be adjusted HOLM Acoustics HOLMFIR User Guide v0.4.4... - Page 59 The more gain, the less dynamic range The less gain, the less linearity Several measurements on different systems have shown that a maximum gain of 6dB is a good compromise, but your system can of course change the determining factors HOLM Acoustics HOLMFIR User Guide v0.4.4...
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Page 60: Correcting A Midtone Driver (Dspre-2,3-Way)
Correcting a Midtone Driver (DSPre-2,3-way) Step By Step Correcting a Midtone Driver 12.5 Correcting a Tweeter (DSPre-2,3-way) Step By Step Correcting a tweeter 12.6 Correcting a Bookshelf Speaker (DSPre-1-way) Step By Step Correcting a small speaker HOLM Acoustics HOLMFIR User Guide v0.4.4... -
Page 61: Appendices
57 of Part III Appendices HOLM Acoustics HOLMFIR User Guide v0.4.4... -
Page 62: A Support
HOLM Acoustics welcome emails send to support@holmacoustics.com with a specific ques- tion or request, but please remember to include relevant information. It is an advantage to initiate the email from HOLMFIR while the DSPre is connected and powered on. This is done from the menu: ’Help’... -
Page 63: Remote Assistance
Support - Remote Assistance 59 of Remote Assistance Windows Remote assistance will allow a supporter at HOLM Acoustics to control HOLM- FIR on your computer while you see what is going on. Remote assistance can be started from HOLMFIR: ’Help’... -
Page 64: B Frequently Asked Questions
60 of Appendix B Frequently Asked Questions Question Answer Can the DSPre play without a computer connected? Can I connect the DSPre after HOLMFIR is started? Do I loose my current filter-configuration when upgrading HOLMFIR? HOLM Acoustics HOLMFIR User Guide v0.4.4... -
Page 65: C Troubleshooting
Appendix C Troubleshooting Problem Solution 1. Make sure that a USB cable is connected between The status field in HOLMFIR says: the DSPre and the computer No compatible DSPre found 2. Turn on the DSPre 3. Restart HOLMFIR 1. Disconnect the USB cable to the DSPre HOLMFIR cannot control the 2. -
Page 66: D Technical Note - Measuring Response
Filter all non-linearities away Same energy per octave - hence reflects the ear. Extreme reproducibility Frequency Response Write that HOLMFIR does not correct for distortion and other stuff Nonlinearities Write that HOLMFIR does not correct for distortion and other stuff HOLM Acoustics... -
Page 67: E Technical Note - Fourier Transforms
Technical Note - Fourier Transforms 63 of Appendix E Technical Note - Fourier Transforms Write a short intro to Fourier Transforms The Time Window Write a short intro to the time window HOLM Acoustics HOLMFIR User Guide v0.4.4... -
Page 68: Index
End-Levels, Protect Your Ears, Equalization, 17, Record level, Equalization box, Remote Assistance, Equalization files, reproducibility, Equalization Mode, Export Graphs, Sensitivity, Extended Range, Signal length, Source Text, Filter Banks, FIR, Time Alignment, Forum at www.holmacoustics.com, HOLM Acoustics HOLMFIR User Guide v0.4.4... - Page 69 INDEX - INDEX 65 of Time Window, Time window, Tonal Balance, 17, Tooltip, Tooltip Popups, USB 1.1 audio standard, Verification by Control Measurements, Zoom, Zoom Back, HOLM Acoustics HOLMFIR User Guide v0.4.4...